---

---

SEVENSEAS Weekly Newsletter and Jobs List

Signing up for our free weekly newsletter and jobs list will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs board.

To sign up for free, click here or email us. 

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

---

By Deborah Rowan Wright

Can we set a longer-term target aiming to safeguard the whole global ocean from harmful exploitation and land and sea-sourced pollution by 2050?

Genuine ocean protection begins in the mind. I believe we need to question our entire approach to protecting the marine world and turn our reasoning on its head.

When it comes to the ocean, today’s guiding political and economic principle can be summed up like this; “commercial exploitation of the sea comes first, but we will allow some protection”. We’re expected to be grateful when governments designate pockets of safeguarded sea, in the form of marine protected areas. The reality is they throw the beleaguered ocean a bone and keep extractive industries happy, because they’re freely able to over-exploit the rest of the sea. And all the while government, business and industry break international law every day by letting the destructive activities continue.

Adding insult to injury, many protected areas are not a safe haven for marine life anyway. It could be because the regulations aren’t enforced, or because restrictions on harmful activities are so minimal they make no difference. Take the UK’s nonsensical ruling to allow destructive bottom trawling within a protected area, which makes a mockery of its marine conservation policy.

The alternative guiding principle of the sea should be;
“ocean protection comes first, but we will allow responsible and respectful exploitation”. Having unpolluted, healthy life-filled seas will then take priority. Human-driven damage and destruction will stop over ALL of the ocean and not just in parts of it.

The rationale for setting a target of 100% ocean protection rests on law, logic, technology and ethics:

Because 100 x 50 is already established in law

The global ocean has been protected by binding international law since 1994, by articles 61;117- 120; 192-216; 242-244 of the United Nations Law of the Sea (the USA hasn’t yet ratified the Treaty but follows it as customary international law). But failure to enforce the law has allowed industries to empty seas of wildlife, pollute waters, destroy habitats and exacerbate the impacts of the climate crisis. While low-lying and fishery-dependent coastal communities face serious economic, climatic and ecological impacts due to governments not taking action sooner.

Because partial protection doesn’t stop the ocean’s destroyers

Designating marine protected areas and marine reserves can be invaluable in enabling habitats to regenerate and wildlife to return and the collective campaign to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 will be a huge step forward when the target is reached. But it won’t stop the primary cause of ocean decline – which is the ruinous over-exploitation of marine resources – and that will be able to continue in the other 70% of the ocean. The threats will persist and we won’t have solved the problem.

Because use we can

With today’s technologies and expertise, enforcing laws and regulations is possible across the globe. Methods include; preventing landing catches in port, withdrawing operating licenses, impounding catches, prosecuting crew members or ship owners, and imposing fines or custodial sentences. At sea, coast guard, naval and former fishing vessels can be part of a patrolling force, monitoring activity and intercepting vessels breaching regulations.

Using satellite technology, organisations like Global Fishing Watch can track the locations, identities, engine power, tonnage, crews, voyage records, and more of around 70,000 commercial fishing vessels around the world. As history shows, when social progress laws are enforced, more enlightened attitudes and new norms of behaviour follow. Putting ocean protection law into action will enable an ocean-respectful culture to develop.

Because it’s right

There are many practical reasons to manage our use of the sea putting nature first. Low-impact, sustainably managed fisheries for example, yield more fish than over-industrialised, over-exploited ones.

There’s also a compelling moral incentive for radical change. Many human activities in the sea are wasteful and extremely cruel. In 2019, at least 230,000 tonnes of fish were dumped in EU waters, most of which was due to indiscriminate capture by bottom-trawling. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 35% of fish, crustacean and mollusc catches are wasted.

Abandoned fishing gear is a deadly menace worldwide. Over 700,000 tons of ghost gear is left in the ocean every year, inflicting incalculable cruelty and death on marine life. Shark finning is a brutal and cruel practice, killing a staggering number of sharks every year, estimates ranging from 70 to 100 million. Losing so many top predators also seriously disrupts the ecological balance in the sea.

A united, cross-sector, cross-border campaign to pressure governments to honour their Treaty commitments by 2050 could see the whole marine environment protected (as it should have been for 30 years).

The anticipated gains of protecting the whole ocean from over-exploitation and destructive practices are plain to see: diminishing pollution and cleaner seas; coral reefs, kelp and mangrove forests regenerating; seas and skies filling with wildlife.

With well-managed fisheries, those who fish for a living or work in related trades will have more to eat and sell, plus employment for the long term. There’ll be more to spend on housing, education and health care, making millions of people better off, healthier and happier.

The global ocean is also Earth’s undisputed champion in confronting the climate crisis. A robust and resilient ocean can absorb heat and atmospheric CO2 and mitigate serious impacts such as ocean acidification, far more effectively than a weakened and depleted one.

Following the original proposal published by Marinet in 2012 (the Principle of Worldwide Marine Protection) the book Future Sea considers how 100% ocean protection could be reached, drawing on international law, successful fisheries management, conservation programmes, law enforcement systems, citizen action, and suggesting lifestyle changes that everyone can make towards marine conservation.

‘All at once eye-opening, thought-provoking, rage-inducing, and empowering, Future Sea is an excellent read for ocean lovers’. Marine Biologist

‘The freshest, most sensible, most optimistic perspective I’ve seen in a long time’. Drew Harvell, Cornell University

‘Rejecting piecemeal strategies, Rowan Wright encourages total ocean protection’. Science

‘The urgency with which she makes her case is utterly convincing. Future Sea is a galvanising book’. The Inquisitive Biologist

‘This book is too important not to be read by the general public, marine scientists, conservationists, representatives of marine-based industries and especially politicians’. The Biologist

---

About The Author

Deborah Rowan Wright is an independent researcher who writes about ocean conservation policy. Her work on marine renewable energy, public trust law, and ocean governance reform has been published by the International Whaling Commission and The Ecologist, among others. She is currently working on twin campaigns: to achieve a UN Declaration of Ocean Rights and for Ecocide to be recognized as the 5th International Crime.

---

By Ombretta Agro’ Andruff

I’m an Italian-born freelance curator with a serious love for the ocean. My career has taken me on quite a ride across some fun and colorful places: I spent 15 years in the hustle of New York City, I’ve been calling the sunny shores of Miami Beach home for the last 12, and I’m back in my hometown of Turin, Italy, more and more since late 2022.

Becoming a contemporary art curator kind of fell into place for me. Back in university, I realized pretty quickly that being an artist wasn’t my path, but I absolutely loved being part of the creative process and working with artists. Curating turned out to be the perfect blend of my love for art and my knack for collaboration.

For more than 20 years, I built an exciting international curatorial career. But after a while, I started craving something more than just one-off projects. I wanted a long-term venture—something that would have a real, lasting impact beyond gallery walls.

When I traded the buzz of New York City for the laid-back, coastal vibes of Miami, my connection with the ocean came flooding back (pun intended!). Spending more time in and by the water, training for open water swimming, diving and kiteboarding, opened my eyes to the harsh reality of the climate crisis and pollution wreaking havoc on our oceans. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.

Being surrounded by Miami’s coastal beauty inspired me to create ARTSail, a project that brings together my love for contemporary art and my passion for the ocean through climate-conscious creativity. ARTSail ended up shifting my whole perspective, sparking a bit of an activist fire in me. Now, I’m not just tackling the climate crisis and pollution through my curatorial work, but also through workshops, panel discussions, and outreach programs. These efforts have taken me way beyond the typical gallery and museum walls, allowing me to connect with people from all walks of life.

A nomadic and multi-faceted platform, since 2016 ARTSail fosters collaborations between cultural creators and climate experts to address the climate crisis in South Florida and beyond. We facilitate artist connections with activists and scientists to explore the impact of climate change and man-made pollution on our waterways, resulting in actionable climate advocacy initiatives. Our programs span artist residencies, exhibitions, and community outreach, bridging awareness to action and leveraging artists’ communicative power for policy advocacy.

Six cultural producers completed month-long residencies in Miami between 2016 and 2022; and I am thrilled to announce that we kicked-off our first project in Europe, with a research residency that brought Miami-based artist Deborah Mitchell to Venice in October 2024, exploring similarities and differences between the Florida wetlands and the Venice Lagoon. Can’t wait to see what comes out of this pilot project!

While we do programming all year round, the World Ocean Celebration has become our flagship event. Since 2021, to honor World Ocean Day, on June 8, ARTSail has partnered with another Miami-based non-profit, Blue Scholars Initiative, to present the World Ocean Celebration. Designed to raise awareness on ocean conservation, the weekend program provides free activities ranging from art, recreation and impact to science, education and entertainment bringing together South Florida youth and community members to enjoy, engage with, and protect our ONE World Ocean. 

We’re gearing up for a big celebration of our 5th anniversary in June 2025! This extended version will take place over a full week, packed with exciting new features like an ocean-themed spoken word event, a music night at the iconic North Miami Bandshell, guided reef explorations, and stand-up paddleboard clean-ups. Plus, you’ll find art installations sprinkled throughout the week. We can’t wait to bring this to life and celebrate with our Miami-Dade County communities!

Another exciting project we are working on is the Sheroes of the Ocean platform, aimed at illuminating the remarkable narratives of women who are playing pivotal roles in ocean conservation. Spanning a diverse spectrum, these women include artists, cultural producers, marine biologists, environmentalists, oceanographers, and activists. Devoting their lives to comprehending, safeguarding, and preserving our oceans, these individuals not only captivate us with their compelling stories but also underscore the pressing need for heightened awareness regarding the imperative care of our marine ecosystems.

Sheroes of the Ocean 2023

Originating in 2020 as ARTSail Conversations, the series has steadily evolved. To date, we have featured 19 women from the United States, Japan, Estonia, Mexico, Russia, and Brazil. Through a range of formats, including online one-on-one interviews and in-person panel discussions at our annual flagship event—the World Ocean Celebration—we have fostered engaging dialogues and inspired audiences.

Our next venture involves an expansion of the platform. We are set to produce short films that delve into the lives of each Shero, accompanied by the establishment of a dedicated website we just launched, www.sheroesoftheocean.org, and a robust social media presence. This initiative seeks to create a global network that not only supports and sustains the efforts of these Sheroes but also fosters mutual support among them.

As a result of launching this platform, I was particularly excited to be invited to join a brand-new collective SHE Changes Ocean, spearheaded by another fierce ocean advocate, Antoinette Vermilye, a co-founder of SHE Changes Climate – a movement uniting a coalition of women and women-led organizations promoting inclusive solutions to climate, social justice and gender balance. 

SHE Changes Ocean was created as an informal vessel to harness our collective resources and networks with a clear mission: to amplify the visibility and expertise of women at global and local ocean events, which remain largely dominated by patriarchal structures. The initiative strives to elevate women into leadership roles within the ocean conservation movement, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future.

Other members of this powerhouse cohort are: Andi Cross, Impact Strategist, Expedition Lead, Writer & Divemaster for Edges of the Earth; Cristina Rocha Antunes, Founder of United by the Sea; Cristina Tebar Less, Environmental Lawyer and Chair of Women for Sea; Farah Obaidullah, Founder of Women4Oceans, a project of The Ocean and Us; Mamta Borgoyary, Executive Director of SHE Changes Climate; Taïme Smit Pellure, Marine Biologist and Activist, Co-founder of Acción Océanos; and Victoria Ramm, Development Manager of Sea Shepherd Global.

I’m truly honored to be among such inspiring ocean protectors, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together! I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for all of us as we explore innovative, impactful and creative ways to safeguard our beloved One World Ocean!”

For more information visit: Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube

---

---